Comment by GOD'aye on March 5, 2013 at 4:44am

Yes, these predators using their position to usurp sexual favors should be dealt with harshly, prison sentences are the least they should receive. Had my own run in with a church minister who taught us bible studies offering to teach me how to masturbate.  I was 14 and ignored his offers.

Yes, prison is where they belong at the very least.

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 5:36am

Is it in fact the case that RC priests have some sort of diplomatic immunity?

Comment by GOD'aye on March 5, 2013 at 5:52am

Not to my knowledge: In Australia, UK and the US some priests have dual citizenships and carry some diplomatic immunity, but if the police wanted to prosecute, they can.  Only the Pope carries full immunity.  It appears that they often don't get prosecuted, because traditionally the police avoided touching religion (esp. Christianity) and let punishment up to the church only.

In Australia there is a commission under way and likely many priests will be receiving lengthy prison sentences.  UK is considering the same action and possibly the US will follow suit.

Lets hope so!

Here's a site that also discusses this topic.

http://ask.metafilter.com/149629/What-is-the-legal-status-of-cathol...

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 5:54am

That's good to know; there might be a point to all of this other than just venting frustatration.

Comment by GOD'aye on March 5, 2013 at 5:58am

Though I read a news release some time ago that the UK was considering revoking the Pope's immunity during Benedict's visit and putting him on trial for allowing the abuse by his clergy.

I was looking forward to that happening, it would have been a great event.  Yes, fancy the head of the Catholic church serving time in a British prison.

It would have been FUNNY!

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/04/04/popes-immunity-prosecution-ch...

http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/vatican/diplomatic_immunity.htm

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 6:20am

It would have been fanfrickingtastic--but I could tell it would never happen; the diplomatic repercussions of arresting a head of state on a visit would be extreme.  The US president?  The Russian president?  The French president?  They'd all be wondering who would be next.  Also the Brits would no doubt be wondering when someone would decide to do it to them.  A precedent that no head of state dares set.

Diplomatic immunity and treating complete shits who happen to also run countries as if they are respectable people does happen for very pragmatic reasons.

Comment by GOD'aye on March 5, 2013 at 6:23pm

LOL! Steven, true, though setting such a precedent would be a great stir.

It no doubt would be the stir if the century!

I love stirs, so if I was a leader, I'd go for it, just for the stir factor alone!

Comment by GOD'aye on March 5, 2013 at 6:26pm

Guess I'm a bit childish that way (I suppose my avatar signifies that point), but, being childish is usually fun!

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 7:08pm

It's possible just talking about it sent enough of a message to rattle the cages they wanted to rattle.  If the Vatican were to clean up its act on account of that veiled threat, that would solve the problem without starting what could technically be a war.

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 7:09pm

Of course it doesn't seem to have actually solved the problem, but perhaps it was worth the try.

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